Crunchy Pumpkin Seed Topped Butter Lettuce Salad
Crank up the flavor in this delish butter lettuce and pumpkin seed salad! Swap regular oil for pumpkin seed oil to boost the pumpkin flavor. Got some roasted garlic on hand? Pop it in the oven if it's not roasted yet. To roast, stick a whole head of garlic in a 400°F oven until the cloves are tender. Tap 'em out, and you're good to go!
The vinaigrette gets even better with time. Make it up to 5 days ahead and keep refrigerated. Warm it up to room temp before dressing your lettuce - romaine, iceberg, or butter lettuce work fine here.
Need the recipe? Here ya go:
- Serves: 8
- Difficulty: A breeze (Easy)
- Time: 10 mins
Ingredients:1. 1/2 cup hulled pumpkin seeds2. 3 roasted garlic cloves3. 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar4. 2 tablespoons unfiltered apple cider or juice5. 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil6. Salt and pepper, because they're essential7. 2 heads butter lettuce, washed and torn into big pieces
Instructions:1. Toast the pumpkin seeds until golden in a pan over medium heat (about 5 mins). Remove and set aside.2. Blend the garlic, vinegar, apple cider/juice, and oil in a blender until smooth and emulsified (around 20 secs). Season with salt and pepper.3. Mix lettuce, dressing, and toasted pumpkin seeds in a large salad bowl, and viola! Serve immediately.
Extra tips for beverage pairing:- Light pilsners, like Czechvar, add a crisp, refreshing counterpoint to the salad.- For a unique twist, try an Austrian Grüner Veltliner, which complements the freshness of the lettuce and the earthy taste of pumpkin seeds.- If you're feeling bold, why not try a British stout? However, keep in mind that it might overpower the delicate flavors of this salad. Choose richer or more savory ingredients to balance the stout's robust flavor. Enjoy!
- This salad can be enhanced with a nutritious drizzle of garlic-infused vinaigrette, which can be made by blending roasted garlic, apple cider vinegar, unfiltered apple cider or juice, and extra-virgin olive oil.
- For a slideshow presentation of this flavorful butter lettuce and pumpkin seed salad recipe, consider creating slides for the ingredients, preparation steps, and pairing suggestions.
- If you're looking for wine pairings to complement your salad, consider light pilsners like Czechvar, Austrian Grüner Veltliner, or even a bold British stout, provided you balance the salad's delicate flavors with richer or more savory ingredients.
